Judge gives prison term for animal cruelty case

In what prosecutors said was a rare outcome for an animal cruelty case, a judge handed down a prison sentence Wednesday for a High Springs woman accused of neglecting four dogs.

Circuit Judge Phyllis Rosier ordered Twyla George, 33, to serve a year and a day in prison followed by four years' probation, said Assistant State Attorney Geoffrey Fleck.

George also must pay $800 in fines, according to the State Attorney's Office.

In June, George pleaded no contest to charges that she had neglected three pit bull mixes and a Chihuahua left in her care, Fleck said. One of the animals was later euthanized due to health problems. Fleck said George told the court that what had happened with the dogs was a mistake. Fleck said the animals had been deprived of food and water and that some had been chained.

Although other animal cruelty cases have gone to court in the circuit, Fleck said he had not heard of one that resulted in a prison sentence.

"People are generally insensitive to the suffering of animals," he said. "I'm hoping by this case to raise some attention to it."

On Friday, George was being held at the Alachua County jail and could not be reached. The woman's attorney also was unavailable for comment Friday, according to the Public Defender's Office.

Fleck said even though the dogs did not belong to George, they had been left in her care, and she was responsible for them. At one point, she had talked to the county's animal services about having the dogs picked up and taken away, Fleck said. She was told they could be removed for a fee or she could bring them to animal services herself for free. Instead, they were left outside her home with inadequate food, water or attention, Fleck said.

Three of the dogs weighed less than 50 percent of their normal weight, Fleck said. One was secured with a chain that weighed more than the dog.

A neighbor later contacted authorities in August 2006 after becoming concerned about the dogs' physical condition.

Animal cruelty cases can be difficult to prosecute because prosecutors must rely on the condition of the animals and expert testimony to prove their case, said Spencer Mann with the State Attorney's Office.